Technology (Consumer Data Protection)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1354: Requires controller or processor to de-identify personal data and prohibits re-identification of de-identified data.

This New Jersey bill (S 1354) requires businesses that collect personal data (called "controllers" or "processors") to permanently remove identifying information from that data so it cannot be linked to specific people. It specifically prohibits these businesses from attempting to re-link de-identified data back to individuals or devices. To comply, businesses must take reasonable steps to ensure data cannot be traced to a person, publicly commit to keeping it de-identified, and require any third parties receiving the data to follow the same rules. This directly affects companies handling personal data in New Jersey, including data brokers and digital services.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates de-identification of personal data and prohibits re-identification, directly strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Digital Government

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2316: Regulates data brokers, data collectors, and collection and dissemination of certain sensitive information.**

This bill requires data brokers operating in New Jersey to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs annually ($100 fee) and submit detailed information about their data collection, privacy policies, opt-out options, and data breach history. It directly affects businesses that collect and sell personal identifying information without a direct relationship to the individual, such as those selling health data. The key provision bans data brokers from selling, sharing, or transmitting physical health records (covering treatments for physical conditions) or behavioral health records (covering mental health, substance use, or emotional disorder care). The law establishes a public registry of registered brokers to increase transparency about how sensitive health data is handled.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill bans data brokers from selling health records, protecting patient privacy rights. Directly advances healthcare data security and patient rights as defined in the topic.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires data broker registration and bans sale of health data, strengthening consumer privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Consumer Data Protection Cybersecurity Data Privacy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2602: "New Jersey Disclosure and Accountability Transparency Act (NJ DaTA)"; establishes certain requirements for disclosure and processing of personally identifiable information; establishes Office of Data Protection and Responsible Use in Division of Consumer Affairs.

S 2602, the New Jersey Disclosure and Accountability Transparency Act (NJ DaTA), would require businesses collecting personal data from New Jersey residents to obtain explicit opt-in consent before processing it. The law sets strict rules limiting data collection to specific purposes, mandating security measures, and requiring transparency about how data is used. It creates a new Office of Data Protection within the Division of Consumer Affairs to enforce these requirements. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Commerce Committee as of its January 2026 introduction.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires explicit opt-in consent for data processing, mandates security measures, and creates Office of Data Protection to strengthen consumer privacy protections in tech.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1413: Requires Division of Consumer Affairs to create open data portal and provide certain datasets online.

S 1413 requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to create and maintain an online open data portal on its website. The portal must provide public access to specific non-confidential datasets, including license application volumes, processing times, active license counts by county, exam pass rates, and consumer complaint statistics. Key mechanisms include annual updates, the ability to sort data by profession/county, and year-over-year comparisons, while ensuring compliance with open records laws and privacy regulations. This bill directly affects the Division of Consumer Affairs (which must implement the portal) and the public (which gains access to transparency data about licensing and complaints). The portal will not include confidential or non-disclosable information under state or federal law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates public online data portal for transparency, aligning with digital rights and open data access policies without privacy restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Tags Data Reporting

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2395: Elevates impersonating public servant to crime of fourth degree in certain instances; establishes offense of exploiting authority implied by a public emergency.

New Jersey bill S 2395 elevates impersonating a public servant - specifically contact tracers during public health or state emergencies - to a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. It also creates a new offense for defrauding people by falsely claiming an emergency (even if none is declared) to obtain personal identifying information. The bill targets individuals exploiting crisis situations to coerce others into sharing sensitive data like Social Security numbers, biometrics, or financial details. It directly affects those impersonating officials or misusing emergency claims to steal personal information, strengthening penalties from prior disorderly persons offenses. The law defines "personal identifying information" broadly to include names, addresses, account numbers, and unique biometric data.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses (impersonating officials during emergencies) and expands criminalization, directly increasing penalties for specific fraud scenarios.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes impersonating officials to obtain personal data during emergencies, strengthening data privacy protections against fraud and exploitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3058: Enacts the "Reader Privacy Act."

This bill, the "Reader Privacy Act," protects the privacy of people using book services (like libraries, e-book platforms, or book rental services). It prohibits book service providers from sharing users' reading habits or personal details with law enforcement or government entities, except when the user consents, a court order exists, or for specific student book voucher reimbursements at schools. It also allows emergency disclosure if law enforcement claims an imminent threat to life or safety, requiring written confirmation within seven days. The law extends existing library privacy protections to all book services, including e-books, affecting both providers and users.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects user data privacy for digital book services by restricting unauthorized sharing with government, aligning with data privacy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Tags Privacy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3180: Imposes tax on collection of consumer data in certain instances; dedicates portion of annual revenues to support 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline.

This bill imposes a monthly tax on commercial data collectors (businesses that gather personal data for business purposes) based on the number of New Jersey consumers whose data they collect. Tax rates range from $0.05 to $0.50 per consumer, with higher tiers for larger data volumes. The first $60 million in annual tax revenue will be dedicated to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Trust Fund, specifically to support New Jersey’s 9-8-8 crisis hotline and behavioral health services. The tax applies to data collected from consumers with New Jersey addresses or IP connections, and businesses may claim credits for similar taxes paid to other states.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tax on data collectors, dedicating first $60M to 9-8-8 crisis hotline funding - directly funds essential public health service.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax on data collectors regulates consumer data practices, aligning with data privacy protections and consumer protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1464: Prohibits use of biometric surveillance system by business entity under certain circumstances.

S 1464 prohibits businesses in New Jersey from using face recognition or other biometric surveillance technology on consumers at their physical locations, except when they provide clear notice (like a posted sign) and use it for lawful purposes. Businesses must explain their use of such technology to deny access or remove a consumer, and cannot sell or profit from the collected biometric data. If enacted, violations would be unlawful under consumer fraud laws, potentially leading to fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill directly affects businesses operating physical locations and their interactions with consumers. (Introduced January 13, 2026; pending in Senate Law and Public Safety Committee).

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts biometric surveillance use by businesses, requiring notice and banning data sales to protect consumer privacy, directly limiting tech application for privacy protection.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1463: Prohibits collection of biometric identifier information by public or private entity under certain circumstances.

This bill prohibits public and private entities in New Jersey from collecting, retaining, or sharing biometric data (such as facial scans, fingerprints, or voice recordings) without specific notice. It requires entities to post clear, plain-language notices at all entry points if they use biometric systems for identification. Violations carry civil penalties of $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for repeat offenses, with repeated violations (five or more in 30 days) classified as a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. The law applies broadly to both government agencies and businesses, defining biometric systems as those using unique physical traits for identification.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits biometric data collection without consent, strengthening data privacy protections per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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